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We are in the final months of the school year and for you Juniors that means your SENIOR PICTURES! I am going to give you some tips to help you with your senior pictures. I wrote a section for the girls and for the guys. Senior pictures are always exciting! Having your senior pictures done makes it all feel real. This is your last year of high school. You'll be entering the real world soon. Please, please savor your senior year. It goes by so fast and these are some of the best times of your life. I know all kids say they can't wait to get out of school. They can't wait to move away. They can't wait till they don't have to listen to their parents. Well for someone who graduated in 2003, most of you are going to miss high school. It's the easiest time of your life, no bills, no major responsibilities, it all changes. Once you're out of school it's all on you! I mean you even have to call and make your OWN doctors appointments...it's insane! lol

Okay girls you're up first! If you're a guy you can skip this and keep scrolling until you see Senior Guys. Hopefully you can use these tips to help you feel more comfortable going into your senior session. You can read all of these tips but the main thing that will make everything fall into place and make your photos look true is to be yourself!

The hair tie on your wrist!

So...take a look at your wrist...is there a hair tie on it? About 95% of girls are going to laugh a little to themselves on this one because they are guilty. I am totally guilty of it too. It's just part of my everyday routine, heck, I don't think it comes off my wrist unless it's in my hair or I'm taking a shower. It just makes me feel better having one on my wrist because i know that if I need to, I can put my hair up. A weird security blanket type thing I know.

On the day of your senior pictures try to remember to take it off your wrist in advance so that of course it's not there for your pictures and so that there isn't an indention isn't left on your wrist. Usually I will catch it in time or before we've taken too many pictures for it to have ruined very many pictures. Let me tell you, it's no fun having to Photoshop a hair tie off a girls wrist.

No mini skirts or short shorts!

What I have to say is my personal opinion and since it is my business this is how I see it. This is a senior session not a boudoir shoot. I will not take your pictures if your clothes are too skimpy. Yes, you are the client and you are paying for it (or Mom and Dad) but this is one thing I feel strongly about. I do not want to be known as a photographer that allows high school seniors to wear something only a 25 year old should be wearing.

On top of my personal reasoning, I would be very limited on the angles I could shoot from and the poses you could do. You would barely be able to move, so all of your pictures would look the same.

Make sure to shave your armpits!

There are some poses where I have you put your arms over your head or your hands in your hair. Aaaand if you forgot to shave your armpits...well those poses are out! If you just bought an adorable strapless or sleeveless shirt or dress and plan on wearing it for your session hopefully that is enough to make you remember to do this. But please please please try to remember this one!

Avoid tan lines.

Tan lines really show up in pictures and they don't look good. You should know well in advance your date for your senior session so try to schedule your days in the sun around this date. You can definitely get some color for your pictures but just be very careful with the tan lines.

Spray tans are another big thing. If you plan on getting a spray tan for your senior session do so 2-3 days before your session. Also try to get it done in the evening. If you've never gotten a spray tan you should get a test one done months in advance to see how it looks on you. If you absolutely have to get one, get the lightest color they have. You want just enough to give you some color but you also don't want to look like a oompa loompa(for those too young, watch the original Charlie & The Chocolate Factory).

Be careful with the bra straps.

A few days before your session try on everything you plan on wearing to make sure it fits right and that you can't see your bra straps. If there is a top or dress you bought just for your pictures or you absolutely love you may just need to find a different bra for that piece. And please don't wear the clear bra straps, you will still be able to see them in pictures.

Stick with your normal look

I know your senior pictures are special but don't do your hair or makeup too fancy. I want the pictures to be of YOU. And definitely don't go to your hair stylist the day before and chop off all your hair. At least wait till after your pictures to go with a drastic look.

Wear clear deodorant.

You will be changing outfits and you don't want it to get it on your second change of clothesor any change of clothes for that matter. If you have a reaction to the clear deodorant, find the spray kind and use that, you should be good with that for the day.

Other helpful tips

Paint your nails the night before your session. If you want to go with the natural look and you do have old nail polish on that has seen better days make sure you remove it.

Don't wear shiny lip gloss or lipstick. The camera may catch a glare that I'm not seeing when I take the picture but will definitely show up in the final product.

No sparkles of any kind anywhere. Same with the shiny lip gloss, it won't look good in the final product.

Feel free to bring props. If you have a Letterman jacket, bring it for a few pictures. If you play a sport like volleyball, bring a volleyball. You could also bring your uniform. If your school and time allows for it we may be able to go to your schools gym and do sports pictures there or on the field.

Avoid patterns, strips, and all white.

I have photographed guys, whether it be for a wedding or a senior session and they are far from thrilled about getting their pictures taken. Girls get excited about their senior session, guys however typically couldn't care less. But guys, don't worry, I won't ask you to do any girly poses(unless you are down with that, lol). Just be yourself and I'll make sure that you look like a guy. I'm sure you guys will be a little nervous and that's fine, it's normal. Just relax. You aren't any less of a guy for being nervous. I'm going to give you some tips so that you are prepared for your senior session.

Empty those pockets.

I know guys keep their keys, wallet, phone, etc.(aka their world) in their pockets all the time. Be sure to empty everything out of your pockets. You would be surprised what some of the stuff you want to keep in your pockets look like in pictures. Leave them in your car or you can always leave them in my vehicle.

Do something with the facial hair.

Make sure you are clean shaven for your senior session. I'm not trying to be your parent and harp on you about this, I just want you to look your best.

Do something with your hair.

If your hair is longer, make sure that it isn't so long that you are constantly moving it out of your eyes during your session. If that calls for you to get a little trimmed off go ahead, it won't hurt I promise. And it will grow back. Just make sure your hair is clean and you styled if you are able to style it.

Avoid tan lines.

You know when the day of your senior session is so avoid too much sun before your session. I know you will want to get some color for your pictures just be careful on how much you get and take all measures to avoid tan lines.

Clothing

You have unlimited clothing changes so be sure to bring a lot of different options.
These are the clothes and/or outfits I recommend to bring:
- Nice jeans and a t-shirt. Don't wear any t-shirts that have any graphic illustrations or vulgar language.- Nice jeans and a button up shirt.
- A dressy casual outfit. This could be khakis and a button up shirt.
- If you are in sports bring your uniform and if possible we can go to your school gym or field.

Iron any clothes that need it the night before then hang them up. PLEASE don't bring your clothes stuffed into a gym bag. I know for sure your Mom will not be happy about that. Be sure that the clothes you will wear are comfortable and flattering. Try to avoid wearing stripes and patterns. If you are going to wear an undershirt I suggest black or gray v-necks under the dress shirts to form clean and defined lines. The same goes for undershirts for other shirts, stick to black or gray. White undershirts photograph poorly and stick out too much. One last thing not to wear is basketball shorts, dingy looking t-shirts, and sweatpants. When it comes to shoes bring a few casual shoes and a pair of dressier shoes. Nice looking tennis shoes and flip flops(not the Nike sports ones) can be brought, we may use them.

Other helpful tips

Feel free to bring props. If you have a Letterman jacket, bring it for a few pictures. If you play a sport like basketball, bring a basketball. If your school and time allows for it we may be able to go to your schools gym and do sports pictures there or on the field.

This should be obvious but brush your teeth and don't eat right before your session.

I hope that those of you preparing for your senior pictures can use these lists and feel more comfortable going into your session.
Good Luck to the class of 2019!
Don't forget if you are in the Southern Indiana area you can always contact me to do your senior pictures!
You can find me on Facebook at Kirsten Alana Photographyor contact me through my website!